Mercedes-Benz European Delivery
08-23-17, 07:59 AM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
On the other hand, though, both European and Asian factories can, and do, at least on a large-scale, build vehicles to American standards. But it would probably be disruptive to a right-hand-drive assembly line, though, to stick in a few special-order lefties here and there. I can understand the reluctance of a number of companies (including Lexus) to do it.
That's one reason why some cars used to have those El Cheapo dashes with the gauges all mounted in the center....inexpensive left/right-hand drive conversion.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-23-17 at 08:04 AM.
08-23-17, 02:23 PM
#17
drives cars
Yes, that's a good point...also for Britain and Australia.
On the other hand, though, both European and Asian factories can, and do, at least on a large-scale, build vehicles to American standards. But it would probably be disruptive to a right-hand-drive assembly line, though, to stick in a few special-order lefties here and there. I can understand the reluctance of a number of companies (including Lexus) to do it.
That's one reason why some cars used to have those El Cheapo dashes with the gauges all mounted in the center....inexpensive left/right-hand drive conversion.
On the other hand, though, both European and Asian factories can, and do, at least on a large-scale, build vehicles to American standards. But it would probably be disruptive to a right-hand-drive assembly line, though, to stick in a few special-order lefties here and there. I can understand the reluctance of a number of companies (including Lexus) to do it.
That's one reason why some cars used to have those El Cheapo dashes with the gauges all mounted in the center....inexpensive left/right-hand drive conversion.
08-23-17, 03:13 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, like I said, some Japanese plants produce large numbers of left-hand-drive vehicles for other markets. But my point was that, in Japanese plants that primarily produce right-hand-drive vehicles for the Japanese, British, and Australian markets, to try and stick in a few special-order lefties might be disruptive and/or impractical.
08-23-17, 07:08 PM
#19
Lexus Champion
On the other hand, though, both European and Asian factories can, and do, at least on a large-scale, build vehicles to American standards. But it would probably be disruptive to a right-hand-drive assembly line, though, to stick in a few special-order lefties here and there. I can understand the reluctance of a number of companies (including Lexus) to do it.
Japan does build left-hand drive cars, just as the UK does. All Lexus models sold in Continental Europe, as well as many Lexus models sold here in North America are built in Japan. Nissan's Sunderland plant in the UK is the only plant in the world (for both left-hand and right-hand drive markets) that produces the Infiniti Q30/QX30 and Nissan Qashqai (aka Rogue Sport in the USA).
Similarly, Opel builds its Insignia model in Germany for both left-hand drive (home market, rest of Continental Europe and North America) and right-hand drive markets (re-badged as the Vauxhall Insignia in the UK).
No plant anywhere, though, that I know of "...[sticks] in a few special-order lefties [or "righties"] here and there". Automotive assembly is a very complicated process that requires intense planning and coordination; nothing is just "stuck in".
08-23-17, 07:32 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I do know someone who works at the Ford plant in West Mississauga. He told me they will build a right hand drive diesel Edge in between a left hand gas US model . There is no rhyme or reason. However, when they do the body and paint at the beginning. They do them in 150 unit batches.
08-23-17, 07:46 PM
#21
Lexus Champion
.
I do know someone who works at the Ford plant inWest Mississauga Oakville, Ontario. He told me they will build a right hand drive diesel Edge in between a left hand gas US model . There is no rhyme or reason. However, when they do the body and paint at the beginning. They do them in 150 unit batches.
I do know someone who works at the Ford plant in
08-23-17, 07:57 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
But there is rhyme and reason for that; a right-hand drive Edge model is already planned for in that plant's assembly process, because the Ford Oakville plant is the only assembly plant in the world for the Edge, which is an international model (even though RHD models are a very small proportion of all Edge models produced). The fact that that they build them in 150 unit batches (as opposed the random single model) is proof that there is planning and coordination involved.
08-23-17, 08:03 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
Well, that was my point. I think you and I agree on that.
08-24-17, 06:46 AM
#24
Lexus Champion
In modern manufacturing there is a lot of rhyme and reason, even if we, as outside observers, do not realize it.
08-24-17, 07:23 AM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I assure you that it is NOT "out of nowhere". Modern, just-in-time manufacturing requires extremely careful long-term planning and coordination of suppliers (especially if they are not on-site) to ensure that the right components and only the right components are delivered when needed. If the assembly plant has planned for a batch of RHD drive models to occur at a certain time but required components do not arrive from a supplier at the required time, the assembly likely has to be shut down.
In modern manufacturing there is a lot of rhyme and reason, even if we, as outside observers, do not realize it.
In modern manufacturing there is a lot of rhyme and reason, even if we, as outside observers, do not realize it.
I guarantee Toyota builds their Japanese LHD and RHD at the same time.
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